Rooke has agreed to pay $5,000 to the state's general fund for campaign finance violations for 2010 to 2012.
Springfield City Councilor Timothy Rooke Updates a story posted Monday at 3:45 p.m.
SPRINGFIELD - City Councilor Timothy Rooke said he takes “full responsibility” for campaign finance violations reported Monday by the state Office of Campaign & Political Finance.
Rooke has agreed to pay $5,000 to the state’s general fund for campaign finance violations for 2010 to 2012 that include using campaign funds for personal purposes, failing to keep records and not disclosing certain financial activity, according to an agreement signed by Rooke and the state Office of Campaign & Political Finance.
The state found that Rooke’s campaign committee made expenditures for personal use - $1,500 for landscaping at the candidate’s home, $933 for a hotel room at a wedding in California, $300 for a stag party gift and $500 to the candidate’s son for work performed “throughout the years.”
“As the candidate I am responsible for all activities and I accept full responsibility for our inability to provide 100 percent of the needed documents and filing of timely reports,” Rooke said.
He added, “I also accept the $5,000 civil forfeiture which will be paid in full by me personally.”
Rooke paid $2,000 to the state when the agreement was completed Monday.
The remaining $3,000 will be paid in installments of $1,500 each, due Aug. 1 and Dec. 31 this year.
The state Office of Campaign & Political Finance reviewed Rooke's campaign committee’s financial activity from 2010 to 2012 and identified several issues including the landscaping expenditure.
Since 2010, the committee made 13 reimbursements of more than $50 totaling $3,512, including reimbursements to the candidate and his wife.
Rooke said the landscaping detail at his home is usually performed by his treasurer, Michael Rogers, who died this year, and himself.
“This item was immediately refunded to the committee after OCPF raised valid concerns,” Rooke said of the landscaping detail.
Rooke added that the $933 for a hotel room for three days for a wedding in California should have been entered as a loan.
“This amount was immediately paid back to the committee by the candidate and our report reflects that,” Rooke said.
Rooke said that during the last two years, his campaign manager, Michael Rogers, battled serious medical conditions which resulted in his unexpected death.
“Many receipts and reports were misplaced or lost due to his mental and physical condition,” Rooke said.
Rooke added, “Notwithstanding this fact, I accept full responsibility as stated above.”
“If I am not compliant through 2015 an additional $2,500 civil forfeiture will be assessed to me individually for a total of $7,500,” Rooke said.